Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
"My dearest Pranav,
Although we just said our goodbyes, I am already writing with the burden of missing you.
It pained me beyond despair to say my goodbyes to you and it is only with the knowledge of seeing you again that I am able to proceed this journey.
Will you give my regards to your father? And thank him for these lovely quills he gave me. I am using one now and I have to admit, I find more pleasure in writing with a quill of such exquisite quality than I thought I ever would, so expect letters from me, often. Long ones even.
My sister is already so nervous for her debut, I feel for her. (But to be honest, I feel for us too). We have 6 long months ahead of us, and with her jumping around anxiously, I am guessing she will bring my mother and I to madness.
You know as well as I do, Edwina has nothing to worry about, she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, she just needs to believe it, and then all will be good.
My dear Pranav, I am saying goodbye once more, my hope is it will not hurt as much on paper as it did last night.
Forever yours, Kathiyani,"
X
"You miss him a lot, do you not?" Mary lays an arm around Kate's shoulders. They're above deck and watching yet another harbor pass by. The steady ground under their feets was a welcome change of scenery, but it only made Kate longing for home more.
Every time Kate set foot on new grounds, she looked around expectantly to look for her fiance.
Of course he was never there.
Although it would be in character for him to surprise her, the thought alone and in itself was silly, because her Pranav had duties, once he could not neglect, not for over a year.
He was helping his father with contracts and arrangements for new traders that were coming by the dozens.
All of them wanted to be involved, and gain from the lovely things her land provided.
Pranav, with his contracts and contacts as second son of a King, made sure the inhabitants were taken care of. Therefore, he could not come along, and Kate loved him for that.
"I do, mother." Kate sighs. "It is for a good cause, but I hope this feeling of loneliness fades a bit."
"It will, I am sure of it." Mary squeezes her tighter. "After all, you will see him again. And once we arrive in England, you will be so busy, it takes your mind off him." Mary kisses the top of her head. Which takes effort, with Kate being taller than her mother.
"What are we talking about?" Edwina's voice breaks the intimate moment. "Are we talking about our dresses?" She spreads her arms and twirls around cheerfully. "I am so looking forward to those fabrics." Her dreamy eyes tell Kate she's not in the mood for some heavy conversation, so she clears her throat, shakes her head and smiles at her sister.
"You will look lovely. I am sure." Kate grabs her sister's hand and spins her around once more. "All the eligible bachelors will not know who is coming for them."
Edwina giggles.
"Miss Edwina, the diamond, the greatest, smartest, kindest and sweetest woman that will ever set foot on English grounds."
"You are exaggerating but I will go with it for now." Edwina sticks her tongue out at her. "But only if you give me the opportunity to introduce to you; my sister, the loving and incredible Kathiyani Sharma, soon to be the wife of Pranav, son of Theju." And they danced to non existing music.
x
"My dearest Pranav,
With the hope my letters are not keeping you from your duties, I write to you yet another short message.
We just left the harbor of Lisboa, which makes us closer to our destination. I have to say, in all honesty, I want to get off this ship so badly, It took over my dreams. Nights in a row I dreamed of flowers, of hunting, of riding, and you were present in all of them. I miss you, have I said so already?
With all my heart I am wishing you well, I hope those new traders and travelers are treating our grounds with the respect it deserves. I have no doubt you will look after all that is dear.
Can you tell me about the river? And which flowers are in bloom? How do they smell?
Forever yours, Kathiyani."
X
"I can see it!" Edwina shouts in her ear. "There it is!" She points in the distance, and when Kate narrows her eyes she can see what her sister meant.
From afar she sees a harbor, lots of boats and for once she shares Edwina's excitement. Kate is so sick of the boat she plans on never looking at water for as long as she's staying in England.
"We will arrive shortly then, I suppose." She says, just as cheerful. "I cannot wait to greet our hostess."
Well, that was a lie, but no one would serve from the truth, so Kate just played along.
They were supposed to stay at Lady Danbury, a long lost friend from their mother.
She was willing to provide them a home for the season, and although Pranv offered to secure for them, Kate thought it was best to let her mother be amongst friends.
After all, when this is all over, after Edwina finds herself a husband, Mary could use all the friends she had. Kate was going back, but her mother wasn't.
The first few steps on solid ground were so good, Kate almost wanted to kiss the ground, knowing that she wouldn't have to go back to the ship for at least six months.
She keeps this feeling with her for a couple of days, but it's only when she sees the horse that's given to her for the time being that she truly feels grounded .
She had to wait till her riding clothes arrived, but when they did late in the afternoon, she made plans with herself to ride at dawn the following morning.
So here she was, patting Mufasa on his back and whispering sweet nothings in his ear. It wasn't necessary though, because from the moment she saw the black beauty, Kate knew they would match.
"Hey there, gorgeous," Kate says softly in the horse's ear, "Want to go out for a ride?"
Mufasa lowers his head in agreement and Kate gets into the saddle and out of the stables.
She's well aware her outfit isn't appropriate, and the way she's dressed isn't as well, but she also knows there isn't a single person, aside from Lady Danbury, that would dare to say a thing. Kate has always been independent and headstrong. Sometimes because she wants to be, sometimes because she had to be.
No, we're not thinking about bad things right now . Kate forces herself to let the thought of the struggles she faced after the death of her Appa go.
It works, and while she's riding, her head becomes empty, only to be filled with the smell of the rise of the day.
"Hey there!" A rich deep voice in the distance draws her attention. "Are we lost?"
When Kate turns her head she sees a gentleman, probably a wealthy one given his outfit and his lovely horse, riding towards her.
"Not in the slightest, I was waiting for someone to race with." Kate bows her head a little and with this gesture she's acknowledging his presence. And after he bows back she presses her heels in the reins and Mufasa reacts immediately.
"Hey!" She hears the man say, "You are not playing fair!" The man encourages his horse and soon she hears the sound of hooves behind her.
"What will be the endpoint?" The man asks her, Kate can tell he's amused.
"Do you seriously think you can best me?" Kate feels more excitement than she has in months, she's sure she smiles so widely all her teeth are showing. "But I was aiming for that oak, over there, so give it your best shot." And she encourages Mufasa to go even faster and she isn't surprised when she gets there first.
"Well, not an even match, nor a fair one for that matter." The man pouts, but he takes off his hat anyway. "But I am a gentleman, so I suppose congratulations are in order."
Kate fakes taking a bow and rolls her eyes in the process.
What a moment to keep your etiquette in order . She thinks mockingly.
"What brings a young Lady out here, all alone, might I ask?" His fluffy chestnut hair is showing and Kate is surprised by how thick it seems from a distance.
"I am going to Mayfair, so if you will excuse me." Kate makes Mufasa move to the side and acts as if she knows exactly where she's going.
"Ah, I see," the man smirks, "your direction skills are not as good as your riding ones." He points his finger to the right. "Because I am quite certain Mayfair is over there."
Kate is startled, but she hides it to the best of her abilities.
Luckily for her, some noise interrupts their conversation, and Kate sees some people in the distance and uses it to her advantage.
"Sometimes I act like a fool to make sure I am not surrounded by one. Good day, My Lord."
She hears his laugh until she takes a corner.
X
"My dear Kathiyani,
My thoughts are also with you, you are the first person I think of when I wake, and the last thing that runs through my mind when I go to sleep. My heart is aching, now that I cannot see you everyday.
The only things that keep me going are the flowers, the river and the horses you asked me about. They remind me of you, and your lovely smile, dear Kathiyani.
I have said it before and I will say it again, I believe your sister is beautiful, I really do, but it is you that stole my heart. Your smile lights up a room, your mind makes me wonder about all that you are and leaves me breathless, and your presence keeps me longing for more.
I know we said we could manage to live without each other for a year, but dear Kathiyani, know that I am counting the days until you are in my arms again. I cannot wait to be your husband.
Thinking of you, always.
Your Pranav"